Border Reivers 12-5 NHS Borders
Iain Gorman 3-0 Vineeth Ravindran
The first match of the night, seen The Reivers Gorman, who is vastly improved from last season, against Vineeth Ravindran for the NHS. This match was slow to get going, with the players exchanging points until 7-6 for Gorman, then the Reivers no. 5 kept focus and found he could beat Ravindran by sending him to the corners and dtormed off to a 15-7 Victory. The second game was more exciting and the players were focussed and not making many mistakes, this went the distance before Gorman took it with a eft serve 16-14. The Third game was Gorman commanding the T-Line and sending Ravindran around the court, Gorman dominated and won 15-4.
Ruaridh Kohler 3-2 Rob Cutting
This was a well matched game, with the full 5 games needed to produce a winner, indeed the biggest wining margin was 15-11 (Ruaridh in the third). This was the game of the night, as soon as one player thought he had the other hand, his opponent would step up with something different. Ruaridh used some front court boasts to try to send Rob the wrong way, and Rob would use full length shots to try to keep Ruaridh at the back of the court; but at 14-13 up in the final game, Rob Cutting’s return found the tin and gave the match to Ruaridh.
Del Sharratt 0-3 Sandy Morris
This was the NHS only victory of the occasion, veteran Morris found his experience won out over Reivers Captain Sharratt, this was a story of serve and return as it was more a war of attrition than a game of skill. The NHS eteran tookit 15-9, 17-15, 15-9
Amir Hosny 3-0 Paul Neary
This game was more flowing than the Sharratt-Morris encounter, this was about movement and placement of shots and the rallies were long and tight. Although Hosny would play a few loose shots in the first game, he seemed able to get to everything Neary would throw at him and won 15-10; the second game was very similar, with long fast rallies and both players having to Think about their shots, the ball just seemed to sit up more for Hosny and he was able to Drive the ball to the corners for his pointa, another 15-10. The Third game see the momentum remain with Hosny and he shot off to 6-3, Neary wasn’t finished though and continued to play tight shots in ane extremely entertaining game, although he fought back valiantly Hosny held on for15-12 and 3-0.
Tony Elliot 3-0 Dave Shiels
This was both teams Top seeds battling it out, Tony Elliot – unbeaten in the East Leagues last season, wanted to continue where he left off. Dave Shields ran about ragged and couldn’t be faulted for effort but Elliot was just too strong in all departments and his quality shone throught with a 15-7, 15-4, 15-8 victory.
Del Sharratt said afterwards “It was a brilliant match, it’s great to get the doctors and NHS staff up for a friendly match before we start the league season. This gives my team a vital run out before the East League 5 game against Collinton Castle next week. The Doctors are tough opponents and hopefully we can arrange a re-match towards the end of the year.”